Clinton — who used to be a huge fan of hamburgers, steaks and other foods of the like — underwent the diet overhaul to reverse the heart disease he’s been plagued with in the past. He underwent a quadruple bypass surgery in 2004 because blood flow was blocked to his heart, and just last year he had to have two stents put into his heart to “open up veins from his bypass surgery,” according to CNN.

Since his diet change, Clinton has lost more than 20 pounds, CNN reported.

There have been numerous studies linking a veggie-heavy diet with good heart health. For example, research shows that fewer vegetarians than meat-eaters have metabolic syndrome, a condition where you possess three of five heart-risk factors, Everyday Health reported. The factors include high blood pressure, triglycerides and blood sugar, low “good” cholesterol and a large waist size.

In addition, research shows that a nutrient-dense, vegetarian-based diet can lower levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol.

Social Justice and Co-ops Book Club

Want to know more about co-ops? Interested in how co-ops can be part of movements for justice and social change? Mariposa is joining food co-ops across the country in a collaborative study project about the intersection of cooperatives and social justice organizing and education.

This month we are reading the first half of For All The People: Uncovering the Hidden History of Cooperation, Cooperative Movements, and Communalism in America, by John Curl.

All are welcome! Please email education@mariposa.coop to get a free copy of the reading selection, for more information and to join the group.